Systems and methods are described for synchronizing playback of media content items. A first media content item is displayed at first user equipment and second user equipment. At least one playback parameter relating to the operation of the first user equipment and/or the second user equipment is determined. A determination is made as to whether the at least one playback parameter is less than a first playback parameter threshold. In response to determining that the at least one playback parameter is less than the first playback parameter threshold, at least one playback characteristic of the first media content item at the first user equipment and/or the second user equipment is adjusted to cause the display of the first media content item at first user equipment and second user equipment to be synchronized.

Described are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method, or computer program product embodiments for controlling streaming of media content. An embodiment operates by halting a presentation of future content from a buffer upon determining that the buffer is exhausted of content to present. The embodiment includes receiving one or more packets over a network connection, the one or more packets including media information corresponding to a first portion of streaming media content, in which the first portion corresponds to a second portion of the streaming media content. The one or more packets in a buffer are stored as buffered content. Responsive to determining that the network connection is not experiencing a burst condition, the buffer is trimmed. Then, presentation of buffered content is resumed and the first portion is caused to be presented in sync with the second portion.

Example systems, apparatus, and methods receive audio information including a plurality of frames from a source device, wherein each frame of the plurality of frames includes one or more audio samples and a time stamp indicating when to play the one or more audio samples of the respective frame. In an example, the time stamp is updated for each of the plurality of frames using a time differential value determined between clock information received from the source device and clock information associated with the device. The updated time stamp is stored for each of the plurality of frames, and the audio information is output based on the plurality of frames and associated updated time stamps. A number of samples per frame to be output is adjusted based on a comparison between the updated time stamp for the frame and a predicted time value for play back of the frame.

Systems and methods are described to enhance interactive engagement during simultaneous delivery of serial or digital content (e.g., audio, video) to a plurality of users. A machine-based awareness of the context of the content and/or one or more user reactions to the presentation of the content may be used as a basis to interrupt content delivery in order to intersperse a snippet that includes a virtual agent with an awareness of the context(s) of the content and/or the one or more user reactions. This “contextual virtual agent” (CVA) enacts actions and/or dialog based on the one or more machine-classified contexts coupled with identified interests and/or aspirations of individuals within the group of users. The CVA may also base its activities on a machine-based awareness of “future” content that has not yet been delivered to the group, but classified by natural language and/or computer vision processing. Interrupting the delivery of content substantially simultaneously to a group of users and initiating dialog regarding content by a CVA enhances opportunities for users to engage with each other about their shared interactive experience.

A first screen device establishes a pairing session between a first screen device and a second screen device. The first screen device presents, in a user interface on the first screen device, a video and one or more media features related to the video. The media features pertain to at least one of a presentation of the video or user feedback about the video. The video is cast from the first screen device onto the second screen device. The first screen device receives, via the user interface, user input indicating a user request to enable presentation of at least one of the media features on the second screen device in connection with the video. In response to the user input, the first screen device causes the at least one of the media features to be presented on the second screen device in connection with the video.

An audio content playback method for a portable terminal. The audio content playback method includes checking a channel that is supportable by audio content that is currently engaged in group's simultaneous playback, in group's simultaneous playback of the audio content. The method includes allocating a channel to each of devices included in a group based on position information of each device included in the group or based on an input state in a user interface environment that is preset for channel allocation for each device included in the group, and transmitting the allocated channel information to each device included in the group to allow the device to select its allocated channel and play the audio content.

Techniques have been developed to facilitate the livestreaming of group audiovisual performances. Audiovisual performances including vocal music are captured and coordinated with performances of other users in ways that can create compelling user and listener experiences. For example, in some cases or embodiments, duets with a host performer may be supported in a sing-with-the-artist style audiovisual livestream in which aspiring vocalists request or queue particular songs for a live radio show entertainment format. The developed techniques provide a communications latency-tolerant mechanism for synchronizing vocal performances captured at geographically-separated devices (e.g., at globally-distributed, but network-connected mobile phones or tablets or at audiovisual capture devices geographically separated from a live studio).

Systems and methods are presented for providing dynamic summaries of missed content of content streaming on multiple device. A plurality of groups for a concurrent presentation of a content is identified, and a selection is received by a user via a second device to join a first group of the plurality of groups for the concurrent presentation of the content. Based on a user via the second device joining a group, a determination is made as to whether a user via the second device missed any content from the concurrent presentation of the content for the first group. Based on the detection of missed content, the system generates for the second device one or more summaries of the missed content segments and the missed reactions to the segments based on preferences associated with the user profile. In response to generating the summaries, the summaries are presented via the second device to the user.

In systems and methods for enhancing group watch experiences, a first user's reaction is detected using multiple sensors, e.g., at least one camera and a microphone, and may be combined with context information to determine an action to perform at user equipment devices of other users participating in the group watch to convey the first user's reaction. Images from the at least one camera can be used to determine a portion of the screen to which the user's reaction is directed and/or another user to whom the reaction is directed. The reaction may be conveyed using one or more of an audio effect, a visual effect, haptic effect or text, e.g., to highlight the determined portion or user, display an icon and/or output an audio or video clip. A signal for providing haptic feedback may be transmitted to the user equipment device of the determined user.

Systems and methods for providing synchronous transmission of streaming media are disclosed. One method may include: receiving, from a first user device associated with a first user, a request to invite a second user to a virtual media streaming session; retrieving, from the at least one database, a second user profile, the second user profile identifying a second user device associated with the second user; transmitting, subsequent to the retrieving, instructions to the second user device to present a notification alerting the second user of the request; determining, using a processor, whether a response accepting the request is detected from the second user device; and connecting, responsive to determining that the response accepting the request was detected, the second user profile to the virtual media streaming session; wherein multimedia content presented in the virtual media streaming session is simultaneously viewable on the first user device and the second user device.